tyler1985's Blog

NHL JAN 16TH

By tyler1985 | View all Posts
Posted Friday, January 16, 2009 08:11 AM   21 comments
Toronto (17-21-2-4) at Atlanta (14-25-5-0)

The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won consecutive games, they did so in Atlanta.

The Maple Leafs (17-21-6) again travel to Philips Arena looking for back-to-back wins Friday against the Thrashers (14-25-5), who hope to avoid a third straight loss.

Toronto avoided embarrassment and broke its four-game losing streak with Thursday's 6-4 victory in Carolina.

After scoring the first four goals and leading 4-1 entering the final period, the Maple Leafs blew that advantage by allowing three goals in the first 8:40 of the third.

Tomas Kaberle, however, bailed out his team by scoring on a power play with 5:25 remaining, and Jason Blake added a empty netter with 11 seconds left to complete his sixth career hat trick. Blake also contributed two assists for a career-high five points.

"We found a way to win," Toronto coach Ron Wilson said. "We never should have put ourselves in that position, but we did."

The victory also ended a four-game road skid for the Maple Leafs, and the six goals were the most they scored since their 6-2 win Dec. 22 at Atlanta. Following that game, Toronto averaged 1.70 goals over its next 10 before Thursday's win.

The Maple Leafs have won two of three meetings this season with the Thrashers and five of the last six. They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 trips to Atlanta, but Toronto is also 1-4 in the second half of back-to-back games in 2008-09.

Friday's game will feature two of the league's worst defenses and two of its worst penalty-killing units.

The Maple Leafs have allowed 4.07 goals per game in their last 14 contests and given up 19 power-play goals in their last 52 short-handed situations. Atlanta, meanwhile, has yielded 4.00 goals per game over its last 16 and allowed opponents to go 9-for-36 on the power play in the last eight.

After wining five of their first eight home games, the Thrashers have gone 2-10-2 in their last 14 at Philips Arena, and are 2-7-1 mark in their last 10 overall.

Ilya Kovalchuk's first game as captain and the return of leading goal scorer Bryan Little couldn't spark the Thrashers on Wednesday in a 3-2 home loss to Ottawa.

"It's definitely a special night in my career, but I wanted to win the game," Kovalchuk said. "The penalties are killing us."

Little, who missed three games with a rib injury and has 19 goals, hasn't scored in the last four contests since his seven-goal binge over four games.

Center Todd White - second on the team with 42 points - suffered a bruised foot in the third period Wednesday, but is expected to play. He has two goals and five assists during a four-game point streak.

Left wing Slava Kozlov has an assist in four consecutive contests, but has been limited to one goal in his last 12 games.

Despite their struggles on the penalty kill, the Thrashers have one of the league's top power-play units, converting 21.4 percent of their chances, scoring at least man-advantage goal in four straight games.

  • Maple Leafs are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
  • Maple Leafs are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Atlanta.
  • Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Atlanta.
  • Road team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
  • PICK: LEAFS

    21 comments
    comment Post A Comment
    tyler1985 says:
    01/16/09 08:28AM
    LOVE TONIGHTS CARD

     

    CLB

    ANA

    TOR

    FLA

    COL

     

    MR_BAZ says:
    01/16/09 08:54AM
    I'm down with all 5 picks! BOL Tyler!
    yardquags77 says:
    01/16/09 08:57AM
    Looks good tyler - BOL tonight 
    LuckyGuy says:
    01/16/09 10:58AM
    weeble5672 says:
    01/16/09 11:26AM
    BOL tyler
    Moneytalk says:
    01/16/09 12:16PM
    I LIKE YOUR PICKS TYLER

    GL EVERYONE

    Moneytalk says:
    01/16/09 12:35PM
    IAM ALSO PICKIN CHICAGO

    THEY HIVE BEEN HARD TO BEAT AT HOME

    AN I DONT THINK THE RANGERS HIVE WHAT IT TAKE TO BEAT

    CHICAGO IN CHICAGO SO ITS ONLY RIGHT TO PICK CHICAGO

    Johnnypicks says:
    01/16/09 12:41PM
    GL newf

     

    tyler1985 says:
    01/16/09 12:47PM
    THANKS BY'S
    psantana357 says:
    01/16/09 01:16PM
    tyler, i was wondering if you could post your record, just to see your winning % is . thanks!
    good luck!!


    Karim22 says:
    01/16/09 01:19PM
    GL ''T''!!
    ladiesluvtulsa says:
    01/16/09 01:33PM
    Love COL and FLA.  GL!
    TLALLZ93 says:
    01/16/09 01:39PM
    Tyler, BOL.... Love the picks...What is your opinion on NYR CHI?...I personally think NYR +145 is the better playy
    tyler1985 says:
    01/16/09 01:42PM

    I WOULD PLAY THE UNDER

     

    BigGameBG says:
    01/16/09 01:43PM
    tyler1985 says:
    01/16/09 01:46PM

    182-157-0

    53.69%

    Johnnypicks says:
    01/16/09 02:36PM
    53.68%.
    psantana357 says:
    01/16/09 04:22PM
    thanks tyler, keep up the good work!

    and good luck mate!
    tyler1985 says:
    01/16/09 04:33PM


    canada21 says:
    01/16/09 05:02PM
    gl tyler think the leafs win tonight
    jrock88 says:
    01/16/09 05:03PM
    Add your response:
    Please note that the blogger has the option of reviewing all comments before they are displayed to the public. Your comment may not be published immediately.
     

    Profile

    User: tyler1985
    Joined: December 2007
    Location: Newfoundland
    Team: Tampa Bay Rays
    Occupation: Trade

    Recent Posts

    Archive

    Categories

    Advertisement